Immunization Newsbriefs (c) Copyright Information Inc., Bethesda, MD. Brought to you by the National Network for Immunization Information (NNii). Visit NNii's new website at http://www.immunizationinfo.org.
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February 24, 2003
U.S. IMMUNIZATION NEWS
"Bush Smallpox Inoculation Plan Near Standstill"
Washington Post (www.washingtonpost.com) (02/24/03) P. A6; Connolly, Ceci
One month after the United States began inoculating health care workers against smallpox, only 4,200 people have received the shots. The government has sent 274,000 doses of smallpox vaccine to states since late January; however, many hospitals, some major unions, and a few public health departments have said they will not participate, and many states have revised their original immunization plans. Many medical professionals say they do not believe there is a great enough threat of an attack using smallpox to administer a vaccine with known serious side effects. Meanwhile, Health and Human Services Secretary Tommy G. Thompson, in an effort to boost the program, will make an appeal at the National Governors Association meeting today, and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention director Dr. Julie Gerberding plans to send information packets to 3.5 million health care professionals.
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OF THE PUBLISHER, AND IS NOT TO BE CONSTRUED OR INTENDED AS PROVIDING MEDICAL OR
LEGAL ADVICE. THE DECISION WHETHER OR NOT TO VACCINATE IS AN IMPORTANT AND
COMPLEX ISSUE AND SHOULD BE MADE BY YOU, AND YOU ALONE, IN CONSULTATION WITH
YOUR HEALTH CARE PROVIDER.